ELIZABETHAN MANOR HOUSE HOTEL SEEKS WEDDING FOR
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND 2009

With Valentine’s Day 2009 falling on a Saturday, Combe House, a wildly romantic  Grade I Elizabethan manor house hotel at Gittisham, near Exeter, is seeking a couple planning to tie the knot on this most special of lover’s weekends. A very warm welcome awaits you at Combe House, Gittisham - a secluded Devon country estate where attention to detail, individuality and a personal service are guaranteed.

Combe is hidden on a glorious wooded estate in the lush Devon countryside where Arabian horses and pheasants roam freely. A Michelin Rising Star and the Good Hotel Guide UK Country Hotel of the Year 2007, it’s one of the few places in the West Country perfectly suited for exclusive wedding use ensuring total privacy and a wonderful sense of occasion in an idyllic setting all year round.
 
The hotel has a civil wedding licence in four intimate rooms, including the Great Hall with its oak panelled walls and crackling log fire, and can welcome 100 guests in the main house or up to150 in a garden marquee.  Whether it’s a candlelit wedding with dancing into the night or a weekend long party with fireworks and entertainment, the Combe team have the right contacts to ensure it runs smoothly.



Combe is renowned for its fine cuisine, excellent wine list and generous hospitality. Sit down and buffet style wedding celebrations can be tailored to specific needs in a choice of elegant rooms.
 
The contemporary-British cuisine is created by Combe’s two resident Master Chefs of Great Britain, Hadleigh Barrett and Stuart Brown, who are ardent about sourcing the freshest and best quality ingredients for their menus from local producers. The fine cellar has some two hundred interesting and unusual vintages sourced from across the world’s major wine producing regions but with particular emphasis on France and Australia.  
 

Accommodation is in fifteen individually styled bedrooms and suites including a four-poster, many with stunning views across the valley to Dartmoor. For the wedding night the bridal couple would have their very own thatched cottage with a private walled garden sleeping just two, hidden at the entrance to Combe’s mile-long drive.
 
Exclusive wedding use of Combe House for two nights over Valentine’s weekend 2009 (2pm Friday to 10.30am Sunday) is around £14,000 based on 60 -100 guests including B&B for 32 guests in fifteen bedrooms/suites and Combe’s thatched cottage. All other meals, beverages and wedding arrangements are additional.


For a wedding brochure and to discuss your personal requirements call Ken or Ruth at Combe House on 01404 540400 or alternatively the email address is stay@thishotel.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capacity of each private dining room seated?

The Panel Room can accommodate 44 guests
The Georgian Kitchen can accommodate between 10-12 guests
The Green Mural Room can accommodate 30 guests
The Pink Dining Room can accommodate 30 guests

What is the dress code?

The dress code for a private dining room is respectably smart/casual. However, should you decide to set a more specific dress code for your special event, you are welcome to do so, ie suits/dinner jacket and evening attire.

Is smoking allowed in the dining rooms?

No, only in the Great Hall or the sitting room until July 2007 when the no-smoking policy becomes law.

Is there an open bar in each dining room?

No. However a wide selection of bar drinks are available by waiter service from the House bar.

Is it possible to have music entertainment?

There are several options concerning music for the Ceremony and Reception from a string quartet to a harpist or simply your own selection of music. A portable CD player is available and can be used for background music. You are most welcome to bring along your own selection of music or we have some on hand. The Green and the Pink Dining Rooms are equipped with a six-cd changer. The House offers a variety of jazz and classical music CDs.

Is dancing allowed?

When the House is taken over on an exclusive use basis the Great Hall is ideal for dancing.
We are able to arrange a disco or a live band until 1am when you have exclusive use of the House.

What time can I access a private room from?

When you book for lunch, you can access the room from 11:30am
When you book for dinner, you can access the room from 6:30pm

What time do my guests and I need to vacate a private room?

When you book for lunch, we kindly request your guests to vacate the room by 4:30pm
When you book for dinner, we kindly request your guests to vacate the room by 12:00 midnight

Is the house accessible for disabled people?

Yes, but on the ground floor only. There is a disabled toilet and a ramp is provided leading you through the front door of the house. All our bedrooms are on the 1st floor, so there are a number of stairs and sadly no lift. (Combe House is Grade 1 listed and Elizabethan.)

What is the deposit required to secure my booking?

When you decide to confirm your reservation for a private dining room, we do require a deposit of the private room hire charge as quoted when making the booking.

A Master of Ceremonies?

Our Manager will be on hand to act as a Master of Ceremonies guiding you throughout the day, announcing all formalities to you, your family and friends.

Can a meal be served in the gardens?

Unfortunately no, we can however serve your drinks and canapés in the gardens if you wish.
A BBQ is a fantastic way to welcome your guests on the first day of a two day exclusive use.
A dinner or buffet in one of the private dining rooms is a perfect alternative.

Can we have a choice of menu on the day for our guests?

For numbers over 10 guests, we kindly request you to select a set menu for everyone. Guests with any dietary requirements or allergies can be taken care of. There is also a vegetarian menu available.

What flowers are included in the hire of the room and where are they located?

There are floral displays in the Great Hall, reception and the fire place in the Green Dining room. We can offer simple cut flowers from the garden in single vases for your table or you may wish to discuss more personal arrangements with our house florist Meriel Hill who will be happy to help you with ideas and prices.

Where are the fire places and when are they lit?

There is a fireplace in the Great Hall, which is lit for the majority of the year, except in very warm weather.
There are also fireplaces in the Panel Room and Dining Rooms which are lit in the autumn, winter and early spring as required. The Georgian Kitchen offers the exceptional wood and coal burning stove which is lit all year round as this also provides the heating! Lighting is by candlelight as there is no electricity.

What is the hotel's policy on corkage?

Unfortunately, we do not allow guests to provide their own wines. We are proud to offer our guests a very interesting wine list - please consult with Ken and Barry for special requirements.

Are there any baby changing facilities?

These can easily be arranged.

Is confetti allowed?

No confetti, but rose petals are perfect.

Is there room for guests to change prior to a private event?

If you are not staying with us, we will do our best to provide a bedroom, if available. However, you are more than welcome to use the spacious rest rooms.

What parking facilities are available?

The hotel offers 35 parking spaces for residential guests and day visitors. If you are planning a large party parking attendants will be onsite to assist everyone.

How far away is the sea and coastal walks?

The famous Jurassic coastline from Sidmouth to Lyme Regis is 8 miles from Combe House. There are plenty of coastal walks, seaside towns, villages, fascinating places and sites to see and visit. More details are available as required.

What are the nearest towns to Combe House?

Honiton is our nearest town, only 2 miles north east of Combe House. There are regular trains from Honiton which run direct to London Waterloo. Exeter is the County City, at a distance of 17 miles, with easy access from the A30. Exeter International Airport is only a 10 minute drive from Combe, again easily accessible just off the A30.

Is there a helipad?

Yes indeed - the croquet lawn, just above the 'cross road'. But please contact us before hand so we can inform the Arabian Horse Stud owner.